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T-Minus 7 Days and Counting!!!!!!

Greetings Friends,

I am one week from my departure for my great adventure to South America. I am so excited I can barely stand it! And yes, my mouth is watering for the Guinea Pig already!

Here is my intinerary for my friends with ADD.

My Trip in Detail

My recollection of being on anti malarial medication was correct! I have had the most vivid, lucid nightmares since I took it Saturday night. They have calmed down a bit but I get to go through the fun cycle every week for the next nine weeks. I wish you could TIVO my dreams because they would blow away any thriller flick that Hollywood has created.

This weekend will be the practice run for packing for my trip. I am sure that it will be an interesting experience.

Sparky

Friends 32 Birthday Present

First time i have seen a chick with an air compressor and a blow up doll

Local Cuisine

Greetings Friends,

I am extremely excited after learning about one of the local cuisines of Peru and surrounding Incan areas.....the infamous guinea pig!

The guinea pig is either fried or baked, and is served whole (head, paws and all) on a platter with potatoes and vegetables. They claim it tastes a little like chicken, but with a gamey flavour all of its own. They are also supposed to be low in fat and cholesterol! This means I can chow down and some GP on my trip!

That's right folks, I am seriously considering eating some of these cuddle, furry, and cute little rodents while I am on my adventure. How can one travel to another country and not try one of their staples. That would be like going to Japan and not eating sushi!

I will leave it to you guys to vote in the comments on what you think I should do. Should the majority agree with me I will sample this fine furred animal on my trip and post video and pictures for those who wish to live vicariously.

So now is your chance to vote in something where I am sure your vote will matter. Should I be a guinea pig and partake in dinning on one?

Sparky

All Set for the Big Trip

Greetings Friends,

After $500 and 8 more shots I am all ready for the expedition! I forgot just how painful the Yellow Fever and Typhoid Fever shots were. It did not help that the nurse at the travel clinic mistook my shoulder for a dart board and I am NOT kidding. The lady gave me all 8 shots in less than one minute. She definitely will not be receiving any post cards from me on my trip.

I also was armed with an digestive care kit as well as Anti-Malarial medication. I am laughing my ass off after reading about the medication side effects on WebMD. I guess they still out weight the downside of Malaria. The doctor told me that the most common side effect in men was "crazy dreams"....great!

The following side effects are associated with Lariam Oral:

Common side effects:

Problems with Eyesight	Less Severe
Cannot Focus Thoughts	Less Severe
Dizzy	Less Severe
Abnormal Trouble Sleeping	Less Severe
Loss of Appetite	Less Severe
Head Pain	Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up	Less Severe
Throwing Up	Less Severe
Diarrhea	Less Severe
Stomach Cramps	Less Severe

Rare side effects:

Depression	Severe
Slow Heartbeat	Severe
Hallucination	Severe
Seizures	Severe
Nervous	Severe
Confused	Severe
Mental Disorder with Loss of Normal Personality & Reality	Severe
Anxious	Severe

The great thing is have to take this stuff for nine weeks! There is no cure for malaria it actually just keeps your liver from getting fried if you do get it.

Sparky

Travel to Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador- Oh My!

Greetings Friends,

I have learned the following about travel to these countries in South America:

1. If you are not going to the jungle areas you do not have to get the Yellow Fever shot. You can check the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm to see what is recommended. I learned today that although it is not required it is highly recommended to get it since it takes only one mosquito bite to make you seriously ill or possibly kill you. I am getting this Thursday.
2. If you are traveling in rural areas they recommend the Typhoid vaccination. According to the CDC here is a description: "The hallmark of typhoid infection is persistent, high fevers. Other common symptoms and signs include headache, malaise, anorexia, splenomegaly, and relative bradycardia. Many mild and atypical infections occur." All I have to say is give me that shot too!
3. Lastly I have learned that Malaria sucks as well according to the CDC. "Malaria is a serious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms may include fever and flu-like illness, including chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice. Plasmodium falciparum infections, if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, coma, and death." Give me the pills too! I don't care if one of the side effects are hallucinations! It beats possible death.

So that is the list of threats from the CDC. The other thing that I have learned is that Bolivia is a pretty dicey country. Here is a warning from the Lonley Planet website for La Paz:

Brutal Kidnappings

A violent scam operating out of the Cemetario area of La Paz works via gang members posing as policemen who ask travellers to accompany them to a fake police station. The tourists are then relieved of credit cards and pin numbers and held indefinitely while their bank accounts are emptied. Unfortunately the escalation of this crime has recently resulted in the deaths of several backpackers. Travellers are warned to use caution if approached by police officers, to ask for ID and where possible ask for further police presence.

I think I will plan on avoiding this area. If anyone has info on where I should avoid please send them. Stories of Sparky getting robbed, sodomized, or pimp slapped are not good.

Hmmmmm....This reminds me of my old Navy days! Nothing like traveling to third world countries to remind you how great that we have it in the USA!!! When was the last time you had to get a vaccination to protect you from a life threatening illness to travel to Orange County?

Sparky

BTW....the dentist gave me a clean bill of health for my trip but I get to have three wisdom teeth removed when I return. I am not looking forward to that!

Spotted dick anyone?

Spotted dick?

Priceless

Priceless

The Dentist and The Travel Doctor

Greetings,

I am extremely excited about my trip and fortunately I will be done with all of the fun pre-trip medical stuff this week.

Something about Yellow Fever and Tyhpoid have inspired me to get my shots updated even though you feel like complete hell for a few days after getting them ( I learned this in the Navy). I guess it beats getting deathly ill or spending 2-3 weeks on the crapper ;). Not to mention the other ten shots that I get to receive as well.

Also the thought of seeing a Dentist in country like Bolivia has motivated me to get checked out before I head out. For some reason the movie "The Marathon Man" pops into my head when I visualize this and it sends chills up my spine.

For those of you who know me you know that this level of proactive doctors visits are abnormal. Do not worry, I am still Sparky! I just want to be Sparky after I get back.

Human Pin Cushion

Where can you get.....

I was just reading on a website on visiting Machu Picchu and what to bring with you....does anyone know where to get a "universal snake-poison serum"? Did I mention that I hate snakes?

"You should bring along a sleeping bag, a backpack, a multipurpose knife, motion sickness pills, universal snake-poison serum, and bottled water."

Sparky

Sparky Update

Greetings Friends and Family,

Nothing to update other than I had a great visit with my brother. He ended up coming to the great urban metropolis known as Kokomo instead of me heading out there due to some last minute changes.

I read a great book and saw the corresponding movie this week and I wanted to share it with my spiritually inclined friends. For those in search of the meaning of life I found this to be an easily digestible version of what other authors such as Deepak have articulated in a much deeper level. Nonetheless it is well worth your time.

http://www.thesecret.tv

Happy reading and watching.

Regards,
Sparky

INDY 500- Dudes who wanted to come out PLEASE READ

Greetings Race Fans!!!

I have purchased tickets today for the 91st running of the INDY 500! I have 15 tickets in total and I need those who are planning to attend to get me their cash asap (this was not a small bill).

So far I have JT +3, BS +2, and PS +2. Please confirm ASAP and if you don't have my mailing address shoot me an email (go to the link on my profile) and I will send it to you. The tickets are $70.50 each. TP would have joined but his ass will be at a NASCAR race.

You guys should plan on staying with me since we can do the lake the day before but we will probably need to rent at least one extra car.

IT WILL BE THE SHIZNIT!!!


http://www.indy500.com/

I am looking forward to having you guys out!

Sparky

Saturday

Greetings Friends,

If you are curious about Saturday. Give me a call.

To quote GlennGary GlennRoss

ABC. A-Always. B-Be. C-Closing. Always Be Closing.

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